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USC is the 'REAL' Linebacker U., assistant coach claims

USC Linebacker U.

Penn State running back Curtis Enis is chased by linebacker Chris Claiborne (55) and several USC defenders during a 57 yard run in the fourth quarter of the Kickoff Classic against USC at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Aug. 25, 1996. Enis led the Nittany Lions to a 24-7 win rushing for 241 yards a new Classic record. (AP Photo/Chris Kasson)

Penn State's "Linebacker U." moniker is being claimed again, this time from USC assistant coach Ed Orgeron. UCLA had previously staked its claim to Linebacker U. with a promotional poster, which seemed to prompt a hearty laugh for Nittany Nation.

The Trojans aren't likely to garner the same reaction, and not just because they have a richer linebacker history than UCLA. USC coach Lane Kiffin hasn't won points with, well, anyone, and his "free agent" wooing of Silas Redd hasn't been forgotten by PSU fans.

And the quality of linebackers really isn't the issue for Penn State. It's the idea that giving yourself a nickname doesn't have the same effect as it being GIVEN to you, which is the case with "Linebacker U." and PSU.

The Bruins made the claim and prompted return fire from a Penn State Twitter account. They haven't pushed the envelope since, instead turning to more traditional means to promote the exploits of All-America candidate Anthony Barr.

USC might simply be responding to UCLA's earlier claim. Or, on the heels of a "Wide Receiver U." claim the Trojans made, maybe it's just a matter of time before USC calls itself "Every Position U."